If he isn't careful, Lamar Odom is about to find out the same thing that Gary Payton, Shaquille O'Neal and Trevor Ariza found out the hard way.
You can't "leverage" Jerry Buss.
Odom an his agent, Jeff Schwartz, are looking around at the marketplace and figure that they are worth at least what Ben Gordon (five years, $55 million) and Hedo Turkoglu (five years, $53 million) are worth. They want at least five years, $50 million for Lamar. While that makes sense to most people, Jerry Buss isn't most people. And Buss is the only person who matters now.
Buss wants to keep Odom, and made him several offers to try and do so. According to Brad Turner of the LA Times, Buss most recently offered a deal for $9 million a season for four years at $36 million, or $10 million a season over three years for a total of $30 million.
But Odom and Schwartz didn't even respond--and now Buss has pulled all offers.
If you think Buss won't walk away, you're wrong. Remember, this is a guy who traded Shaq after making the Finals four out of five years and winning three times. Above all else, he's a gambler who knows numbers. He's reached his limit and is ready to walk away.
To a lot of Lakers' fans, that is infuriating. They think the team needs Odom to continue to win championships, and that Buss should simply meet his demands. But I've been around the team for years, and I can't state this strongly enough: when Buss makes up his mind, he almost never goes back (the re-hiring of Phil Jackson is the only time I can think of). As much as I like Lamar--and he's a great player and an even better guy--he has to realize that now is the time for him to take one of those deals.
If Odom really wants to play for the Lakers, he should take a page from A-Rod and call Buss directly. When Scott Boras wasn't getting anywhere with the Yankees a few years ago, Alex Rodriguez picked up the phone and told the team, "I want to play for you. Let's work out the numbers between us and let Scott handle the small details." That's the play for Odom now.
A lot of times in sports, no matter how much the team likes the player (and the Lakers love Odom and his game), it becomes a business decision. And Lamar Odom better hope that Jerry Buss hasn't already made up his mind.
John, very nice article, love your stuffs about the Lakers
Posted by: mike | 07/15/2009 at 09:10 AM
he is waiting and hoping for a better offer from the Blazers on Friday...He is in for a rude awakening...
say hello to Ariza on your way out....
Posted by: reza brom | 07/15/2009 at 03:16 PM
how about 2 years for 21 mil? he will be what 31 yrs.. he will be able to command more cash... after this depending if they win 3 crowns in a row!!
thanks
eddie
john keep up the good work...
Posted by: eddie | 07/15/2009 at 03:40 PM
right on John...good points.
SoCal transplant now living in Oakland. Always enjoyed your work!
cheers!
Posted by: bs | 07/16/2009 at 02:42 PM
It's a business decision both ways. According to some reports the Miami deal is almost the same as Lakers when you factor state taxes. As a Lakers fan, I would like Lamar to stay but if the deals are similar take Miami and call the old man on his bluff.
Lamar had a great season in Miami with Wade and has a house there (settle easy).
Lamar, do what is best for your family and don't listen to guys like John Ireland who technically works for the Lakers. Don't get me wrong I think John does great at what he does but this is Lamar’s call. If the Lakers is the better deal take it but if Miami is the better deal or similar, take it and run.
Posted by: Deon | 07/16/2009 at 04:20 PM
Hey like ron artest said (. At the end of the day if u cany live on 33 million then u cant live. ) lamar dnt listen to greedy bastards like ur agent theyre in ut for money not for a championship u on the other hand can win another win. Better chances in LA then anywhere else
Posted by: Enrique Barrios | 07/17/2009 at 06:00 AM
Wake up Odom, if you are about rings, sign the damn contract and lets get ready for next season. If you want your career to take a turn for the worse, turn down Buss's
offer and that is what is going to happen.
How soon you forget... you used to be a Clipper!!!
Posted by: E. wiggins | 07/17/2009 at 03:18 PM
I recently bought a four door 1995 Chevrolet Blazer which I am pretty happy with so far. On the side there is a tag that says LT. I have seen other Blazers like mine with an LS or nothing at all on the side. What do these things stand for and how many different Blazer sub-styles are there?
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